Air conditioning system performing composite heat transfer through change of water two phases (liquid vapor)

ABSTRACT

An air conditioning system utilizes heat transfer circulation of the change of two water phases where are liquid and water as primary and heat transfer of other air conditioning heat sources such as mechanical types or non-mechanical types as auxiliary mechanisms to perform composite heat transfer to thereby effectively reduce energy consumption required in heat transfer of the air conditioning systems and decrease thermal pollution resulting from the discharging of waste heat. A water circulation system within an air conditioning unit draws outdoor air into an air inlet passage. A discharge water pipe is located at one side of an indoor heat exchanger to use water in the water circulation system as a heat exchange medium. A large portion of air conditioning load is removed before the incoming air reaches the indoor heat exchanger.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates to an air conditioning system that performs composite heat transfer through change of water two phases (liquid and vapor) and particularly an air conditioning system that utilizes heat transfer circulation resulting from change of water two phases (liquid and vapor) as primary and heat transfer circulation resulting from other air conditioning heat source systems as auxiliary to perform heat transfer circulation for achieving composite heat transfer.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Conventional air conditioning systems generally employ mechanical type or non-mechanical type heat source systems to perform heat transfer for attaining the required comfortable environments. Whereas, heat transfer operations require a great amount of energy input. It is estimated that 40% of global energy (electricity) are being used in heat transfer operations for maintaining air conditioning or industry processes. Such huge energy consumption has caused serious damage to the earth environments. Moreover, during heat transfer processes, huge amount of waste heat (sensible heat) have been discharged and result in severe thermal pollution. The thermal pollution in turn creates more requirements for air conditioning. And operation efficiency of air conditioning heat source systems become even lower and result in even more consumption of energy.

[0005]FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional air conditioning system. When cooling air is circulating, heat source apparatus A allows indoor heat exchangers C to absorb indoor heat, and outdoor heat exchangers B are discharging heat (or dispersing heat). When warm air is circulating, the indoor heat exchangers C release heat to the air conditioning zone R to increase temperature while the outdoor heat exchangers B absorb heat. When the air conditioning system is a vertical expansion type air conditioner as shown in FIG. 2, the main heat source apparatus A1 is a compressor which couples with an indoor heat exchanger A1, an outdoor heat exchanger B1 and a switch D to control switching of cool and warm air to perform cool air or warm air circulation. When the air conditioning system is a central air conditioning system as shown in FIG. 3, the heat source apparatus A2 includes a furnace (to provide heat source for warm air), a refrigerator (to provide heat source for cool air), an indoor heat exchanger C2 which is a cool/warm air fan set, and an outdoor heat discharge heat exchanger B2 which is a cooling tower.

[0006] Whatever the implementation types or heat source systems (mechanical types such as cooling medium compression systems, or non-mechanical types such as absorption systems), for instance, mechanical type heat source systems mostly use alkane type cooling medium as heat exchange circulation medium which is very harmful to environments. Hence they do not conform to the requirements of environmental protection or energy conservation. On the other hand, to achieve heat transfer goal by using non-mechanical absorption type systems have to consume huge amount of energy and discharge a great amount of waste heat. They also have serious environmental protection or energy conservation problems.

[0007] In view of the disadvantages of conventional air conditioning systems, applicant develops an air conditioning system that utilizes environment friendly nature cooling medium (water) as the primary medium for air conditioning circulation systems, and circulation of conventional heat source systems as the auxiliary to form a composite heat transfer by using these two types of circulation thereby to increase operation efficiency of the indoor and outdoor heat exchangers, reduce energy consumption for the heat source systems, decrease thermal pollution resulting from waste heat discharged from the heat source systems, and to achieve the goals of environmental protection and energy conservation, and effectively resolve the shortcomings of the conventional air conditioning systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide an air conditioning system that utilizes heat transfer circulation resulting from change of water two phases (liquid and vapor) as primary and heat transfer circulation of other heat source systems as auxiliary to perform composite heat transfer thereby to reduce energy consumption and thermal pollution of total heat transfer circulation systems, and to achieve the objects of environmental protection and energy conservation.

[0009] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional air conditioning system.

[0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a conventional air conditioning system, coupling with a vertical expansion air conditioning system.

[0012]FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a conventional air conditioning system, coupling with a central air conditioning system.

[0013]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the operation principle of the invention for supplying cooling air.

[0015]FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the operation principle of the invention for supplying warm air.

[0016]FIG. 7 is a schematic view of another embodiment (1) of the invention.

[0017]FIG. 8 is a schematic view of yet another embodiment (2) of the invention.

[0018]FIG. 9 is a schematic view of still another embodiment (3) of the invention.

[0019]FIG. 10 is a schematic view of another embodiment (4) of the invention.

[0020]FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of a water liquid vapor heat exchange apparatus of the invention.

[0021]FIG. 12 is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment of a water liquid vapor heat exchange apparatus of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 10, the air conditioning system 3 of the invention is a composite heat transfer circulation system which includes a water circulation system 32 as the primary and the heat transfer circulation of another heat source system 31 as the auxiliary.

[0023] The water circulation system 32 uses water as consumable cooling medium and heat transfer medium in the circulation, and consists of:

[0024] a water pump 321 serving as circulation power supply for the water circulation system;

[0025] a water discharge pipe 322 located in an air inlet passage 34 including a coil pipe 3221 which has one end receiving input water and another end delivering water through the coil pipe 3221 to a water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323;

[0026] a water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323 located in an air outlet passage 33 to provide water change between liquid phase and vapor phase, and to receive water discharged from the water discharge pipe 322, and has a water collection tray 324 located at the bottom to collect water after flowing through the device and having completed heat transfer, and to allow the water flowing back to a water supply tank 325; and

[0027] a water supply tank 325 having a water inlet pipe 3251 to supply water to the water supply tank 325 for use in the water circulation system 32.

[0028] The heat source system 31 consists of:

[0029] a heat source apparatus 311 to receive external energy and transform to heat transfer power to provide heat transfer power required in the heat source system 31;

[0030] an indoor heat exchanger 312 to receive heat transfer power provided by the heat source apparatus 311 (i.e. providing indoor cooling air or warm air), and to couple with an air fan motor 313 to perform indoor heat exchange of absorbing heat or discharging heat; and

[0031] an outdoor heat exchanger 314 to receive heat transfer power provided by the heat source apparatus 311, and to couple with an air fan motor 315 to perform outdoor heat exchange of absorbing heat or discharging heat.

[0032] The composite circulation air conditioning system 3 consists of the two circulation systems set forth above (i.e. the heat source system 31 and the water circulation system 32).

[0033] When in use to supply cooling air, outdoor air passes through the water discharge pipe 322 of the air inlet passage 34, as water temperature of the circulation water in the coil pipe 3221 is lower than the temperature of incoming air, the temperature of incoming air will be lowered after passing through the water discharge pipe 322 due to heat transfer effect (air transfer heat to the water in the pipe). Hence before reaching the indoor heat exchanger 312, a large portion of air conditioning load will be removed and thus can reduce energy consumption of another coupling heat source apparatus 311. Furthermore, before the indoor cooling air being discharged outdoors, the cooling air passes through the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323 located in the air outlet passage. Air and water passing through this device vaporize from liquid phase to vapor phase, thus can achieve temperature cooling effect. Hence the discharging moist and cool air serves as heat exchange medium for the outdoor heat exchanger 314 during heat discharging, the moist and cool air (comparing with the warm air outdoor) serving as heat transfer medium can greatly increase heat discharging effect of the outdoor heat exchanger 314. As a result, operation efficiency of the heat source system 31 can be enhanced, and energy consumption of the heat systems will be decreased, and thermal pollution to atmosphere resulting from waste heat discharged from the heat source apparatus 311 can be effectively reduced

[0034] When to supply warm air, water temperature flowing through the water discharge pipe 322 in the water circulation system 32 is higher than the incoming air temperature, thus temperature of the incoming air passing through the water discharge pipe 322 will increase. As a result, heat generating power required by the coupling indoor heat exchanger 312 may be reduced. Before the indoor warm air being discharged outdoors, it will pass through the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323 located in the air outlet passage 33. The temperature of the water flowing in the device will increase due to the passing warm air and result in increased moisture. The moist and warm air to be discharged will be used as outdoor heat exchange medium (heat absorption). Its moist and warn property (comparing with the moisture and temperature of the outdoor air) allows the outdoor heat exchanger having a large and steady heat source, and having greater heat absorption effect. As a result, the heat source system will have better operation efficiency and the heat source apparatus 311 will have reduced energy consumption.

[0035]FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate the operation principle and characteristics of the invention. Details will be elaborated as follow:

[0036] When to supply cooling air (as shown in FIG. 5), outdoor incoming air (TAO) is air of a high temperature which passes through the water discharge pipe 322 for pre-cooling, then subjects to heat absorption through the indoor heat exchanger 312 to provide indoor cooling air. The pre-cooling of the water discharge pipe 322 reduces the load and energy consumption of the indoor heat exchanger 312. When the indoor air (TI) is discharged through the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323, vaporizing effect between water liquid and vapor generated by the device lowers the temperature of the discharging air TI to become moist and cooling air. As a result, heat discharging efficiency of the outdoor heat exchanger 314 will be increased and energy consumption of the heat source system 31 will be reduced. Consequently, thermal pollution to atmosphere will also become lower. FIG. 5 also shows the interacting relationship of composite heat transfer between the two circulation systems 31 and 32.

[0037] When to supply warm air (as shown in FIG. 6), outdoor incoming air (TAO) is air of a low temperature which passes through the water discharge pipe 322 for pre-heating, then subjects to warming through the indoor heat exchanger 312 to provide indoor warm air. The pre-heating of the water discharge pipe 322 reduces the load and energy consumption of the indoor heat exchanger 312 and heat source system 31. When the indoor air (TI) is discharged through the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323, vaporizing or condensing effect between water liquid and vapor generated by the device lowers the discharging air temperature to become moist and cooling air. As a result, heat absorption effect (relative to absorbing heat directly from the atmosphere) of the outdoor heat exchanger 314 will be increased and energy consumption of the heat source system will be reduced.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 7 for another embodiment (1) of the invention, the air conditioning system 4 like the one shown in FIG. 4, also includes a water circulation system 42 and a heat source system 41. The heat source system 41 consists of a heat source apparatus 411, an indoor heat exchanger 412, a first air fan motor 413, an outdoor heat exchanger 414 and a second air fan motor 415. The water circulation system 42 includes a water pump 421 and a water liquid vapor heat exchange device 423 located in an air discharge passage 43 with a first water collection tray 424 located on the bottom. There is an air inlet passage 44 which has a water discharge pipe 422 located therein. The water discharge pipe 422 contains a coil pipe 4221. Differing from the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, there is an additional water liquid vapor heat exchange device 425 located in front of the water discharge pipe 422 with a second water collection tray 426 located on the bottom thereof. The water pump 421 drives water to circulate in the piping, and through a water inlet pipe 4271 to supply water to a water supply tank 427 for water circulation use in the water circulation system 42. When to provide cooling air circulation supply, through the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 425 which may transform water from liquid phase to vapor, outdoor incoming air passing through the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 425 will be cooled to a lower temperature, and through the water discharge pipe 422, will remove a large portion of air conditioning load before reaching the indoor heat exchanger, thereby energy consumption of the heat source apparatus 411 may be reduced. When to supply warm air circulation, the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 425 will increase temperature and moisture of the passing outdoor incoming air and reduce energy consumption of the coupling heat source apparatus 411.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 8 for yet another embodiment (2) of the invention, the air conditioning system 5 is substantially like the one shown in FIG. 4, and mainly includes a heat source system 51 consisting of a heat source apparatus 511, an indoor heat exchanger 512, a first air fan motor 513, an outdoor heat exchanger 514 and a second air fan motor 515, and a water circulation system 52 consisting of a water pump 521, a water supply tank 525 with a water inlet pipe 5251, a water discharge pipe 522 having a coil pipe 5221 located therein and a water liquid vapor heat exchange device 523 with a water collection tray 524 located on the bottom thereof. The difference: in this embodiment there is one or more branch air passage 55, 56 located between the air discharge passage 53 and air inlet passage 54. The branch air passage 55 and 56 have respectively a throttle 551 and 561 for controlling incoming air to provide air circulation in the branch loops. When indoor and outdoor temperature difference exceeds a selected level (i.e. Ta−T0≧X, where Ta is the indoor temperature, T0 is the outdoor temperature, and X is the selected variation value), in order to maintain air conditioning area at a constant condition, the branch loops may become a branch loop circulation to control heat exchange of the total systems.

[0040]FIG. 9 depicts still another embodiment (3) of the invention, the system 6 includes a heat source system 61 which consists of a heat source apparatus 611, an outdoor heat exchanger 614, a first air fan motor 615, an indoor heat exchanger 612 and a second air fan motor 613, and a water circulation system 62 which consists of a water pump 621, a water supply tank 625 with a water inlet pipe 6251, a water discharge pipe 622 having a coil pipe 6221 located therein and a water liquid vapor heat exchange device 623 with a water collection tray 624 located on the bottom thereof. This embodiment is substantially like the one shown in FIG. 4. However there is a water discharge pipe 622 and an air fan motor 65 located in the air inlet passage 64. Outdoor incoming air TA0 passing through the water discharge pipe 622 is delivered directly indoors through the air fan motor 65. Another indoor heat exchanger 612 and the air fan motor 613 of the heat source 61 may be installed at locations desired. In other words, the water discharge pipe 622 and indoor heat exchanger 612 are separated in different spaces to provide cooling (warm) air.

[0041]FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment (4) of the invention. The system 8 includes a heat source system 81 which consists of a heat source apparatus 811, an outdoor heat exchanger 814, a first air fan motor 815, an indoor heat exchanger 812 and a second air fan motor 813, and a water circulation system 82 which consists of a water pump 821, a water supply tank 825 with a water inlet pipe 8251, a water discharge pipe 822 having a coil pipe 8221 located therein and a water liquid vapor heat exchange device 823 with a water collection tray 824 located on the bottom thereof. The indoor heat exchanger 812 and the second air fan motor 813 are located in an air inlet passage 84. Outdoor incoming air TA0 passes through the indoor heat exchanger 812 and the second air fan motor 813 to supply cooling air or warm air indoors. Another water discharge pipe 822 and an air fan motor 85 are installed indoors at selected locations to directly perform heat exchange with indoor air through the water discharge pipe 822.

[0042] The water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323 set forth in the foregoing embodiments (such as the one shown in FIG. 11) includes at least one nozzle 3231 which ejects misty water vapor to a filter 3232. The filler 3232 consists of air permeable filter meshes. When the misty water vapor spray on the filter 3232 (i.e. water vapor transformed from liquid water), air temperature will decrease or increase to a selected level because of water vaporizing and filtering effect (depending on the temperature of the water and air, when water temperature is lower than the web bulb temperature of the air, air temperature will become lower; otherwise the temperature will become higher). Water will also be purified after the processing. The water collection tray 324 is to collect and accumulate water flowing out of the filter. The water then will be delivered to the water pump through the water discharge pipe 3241. Water and air proceed heat exchange in the water liquid vapor heat exchange device 323. During cooling air circulation, circulating water discharges heat to atmosphere through vaporization. During warm air circulation, circulating water obtains heat from the air.

[0043] The water liquid vapor heat exchange device mainly functions by spraying (or flowing) circulating water on the filters of the water liquid vapor heat exchange device to allow circulating water dispersing on maximum area in a shortest time, hence when the discharging air pass through, the rapid water vaporizing or condensing effect (i.e. change of liquid and vapor phases) may be used to perform heat exchange to lower temperature (during cooling air circulation) or raising temperature (during warm air circulation). There are many methods to achieve the change of water liquid and vapor phases. FIG. 12 depicts one of the preferred methods. In this embodiment, compressed air is ejected over a nozzle 728, water in the water tank 725 will be drawn out through a suction pipe 726 due to the fast speed compression air and forms misty water vapor spraying on the filters of the water liquid vapor heat exchange apparatus 723 to allow the discharging air TI to generate heat exchange function when passing through the filters.

[0044] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a natural convection pipe 75 may be installed on an outer side of the water liquid vapor heat exchange apparatus 723. The convection pipe 75 is a closed loop piping containing selected amount of saturated cooling medium liquid. During cooling air circulation, indoor cooling air is discharged out and passes through the upper section of the convection pipe 75 to absorb the heat energy of the vaporized cooling medium in the convection pipe 75 and allow the cooling medium condensed on the upper end thereof. The condensed cooling medium liquid will drip and drop downwards naturally along the inner wall of the convection pipe 75 due to gravity force. The lower end of the natural convection pipe 75 is located at the fresh air inlet. Thus the fresh air of high temperature and high moisture passing through the convection pipe 75 will get pre-cooling effect. Therefore, the addition of the natural convection pipe 75 in the cooling air circulation is very helpful to reduce energy consumption. In this embodiment, the air conditioning system 7 includes a heat source system 71 which consists of a heat source apparatus 711, indoor and outdoor air fan motor 713 and 715, indoor and outdoor heat exchanger 712 and 714, and a water circulation system 72 which consists of a water pump 821, a water supply tank 727 with a water inlet pipe 7271, a water discharge pipe 722 having a coil pipe 7221 located therein, and a discharge air outlet passage 73 and an air inlet passage 74. They are mostly constructed like the ones set forth above. The main differences are the water tank 725 having a water level controller 729 and a suction pipe 726 located therein, and through compressed air ejecting from the nozzle 728 to draw water flowing out of the water tank 725 through the suction pipe 726, and to mix the water with the ejecting air from the nozzle 728 to form misty water and vapor spray over the filters of the water liquid vapor heat exchange apparatus 723, thereby to allow discharging indoor air TI proceed water vapor heat transfer when passing therethrough.

[0045] The descriptions set forth above indicate that the invention utilizing circulation systems of change of water two phases (liquid and vapor) and coupling with other heat source systems to perform composite heat transfer circulation. It effectively utilizes natural cooling medium (water) to reduce energy consumption during heat transfer and pollution of the discharged waste heat. The invention thus offers significant improvements over the conventional air conditioning systems.

[0046] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been set forth for the purpose of disclosure, modifications of the disclosed embodiments of the invention as well as other embodiment thereof may occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all embodiments which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. An air conditioning system performing composite heat transfer through change of water two phases (liquid vapor) comprising a primary water circulation system and an auxiliary heat source system, wherein: the primary water circulation system includes a water discharge pipe located in an air inlet passage at an outer side of an indoor heat exchanger, the water discharge pipe having a coil pipe located therein and a water inlet and a water outlet connecting respectively through a piping with a water pump of a water supply tank and a water liquid vapor heat exchange device, the water liquid vapor heat exchange device being located in an air discharge passage at an inner side of an outdoor heat exchanger and having a filter located therein to receive spraying or flowing of circulating water to accelerate water vaporization, and a water collection tray located on the bottom section thereof.
 2. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the air inlet passage further has another water liquid vapor heat exchange device located at an outer side of the water discharge pipe.
 3. The air conditioning system of claim 1 further having one or more branch air passage between the air inlet passage and the air discharge passage.
 4. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the water liquid vapor heat exchange device has at least one nozzle coupling with a filter.
 5. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the water discharge pipe of the water circulation system and the indoor heat exchanger of the heat source system are disposed respectively at different locations of the air inlet passage.
 6. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the water liquid vapor heat exchange device located in the air discharge passage has a nature convection pipe located on an outer side thereof, the nature convection pipe having a closed loop coil located therein, the closed loop coil containing cooling medium.
 7. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the water discharge pipe is disposed indoor at a selected location outside the air inlet passage and is coupled with an air fan motor to directly perform indoor air heat exchange.
 8. The air conditioning system of claim 1, wherein the indoor air heat exchanger is disposed indoor at a selected location outside the air inlet passage and is coupled with an air fan motor to directly perform indoor air heat exchange. 